Attention Deficit Disorder

ADDstands for attention deficit disorder. Children, adolescents and adults with this diagnosis have trouble with focus (attention), impulsivity, and sometimes hyperactivity. The latter results in the acronym ADHD. To be diagnosed the core symptoms detrimentally affect all aspects of life, have been present since early childhood, and are not explained by another condition. This is a brief summary. See the resources for further information.

Assessment

ADD is usually suspected during early school years where parents, teachers and others involved in the child’s care feel the symptoms are significant, problematic and are age inappropriate. The symptoms include

Attention Deficit

Attentional problems are manifest as appearing not to listen, inability to complete tasks, easily distracted, and avoiding tasks requiring sustained mental effort. This leads to a chaotic and disorganised life which requires significant support to get through day to day tasks and challenges.

Impulsivity

Impulsivity is to act prior to considering the result of such actions. Examples include calling out, inablity to wait turns, interrupting, lashing out, reactive behaviour.

Hyperactivity

Hyperactivity is the most understood core symptom. The child will be in constant motion as if ‘driver by a motor’, has trouble sitting still, will talk out of turn, will run, jump and climb when this is not permitted and cannot play quietly

Disorder

This is the most important letter of the acronym. For a true diagnosis the child is not functioning as they should for their age. As parents, peers and other adults become increasling frustrated at the inability of the child to ‘listen and learn’ the child’s self esteem starts to plummet as they feel constantly ‘picked on’. This leads to anxiety, sadness and even depression.

Diagnosis

Where the above core symptoms cause significant problems in all areas of the child’s life, impact their learning and relationships, and those around them need to provide extraordinary support a diagnosis of ADD should be considered. A formal diagnosis in Australia is generally performed by paediatricians and child psychiatrists. They will take a history and review information gathered from home and school and questionnaires.

Management

Providing an understanding, positive, safe environment which focuses on the strengths and abilities of the child is the cornerstone of supporting children with ADHD. This involves the carers around the child learning about how to manage the day to day challenges and supporting the child’s self esteem. The core symptoms cannot be ‘fixed’ but setting up such an environment lessens the negativity that often surrounds these children.

Resources

General overview – ADHD: children & teens | Raising Children Network
ADHD-Myths-Factsheet
Screening Vanderbilt Tool
Medication information